So this is interesting/informative. Key takeaways:
-People who buy into conspiracy theories are not very good critical thinkers.
-Specifically, conspiracy theorists are less-than-optimal at thinking systematically; seeing other perspectives, changing their minds when new evidence arises; identifying relevant versus irrelevant information; identifying and discarding logical fallacies; being aware of biases and avoiding them; and looking beyond the obvious.
-Good news! Those critical thinking skills can be taught! Even 10-12 year olds can easily be taught critical thinking skills!
-Bad news! The challenge to teaching critical thinking skills to conspiracy theorists is their own egos. There appears to be a “robust association” between the need to feel unique or special and the adoption/belief of conspiracy theories.